If you aren’t in the moment, you are either looking forward to uncertainty or back to pain and regret.
Jim Carrey
Living with so much uncertainty is one of the most challenging situations in today’s world. Look around you. What do you see? Countries are getting into a war, and uncertainty looms over. No one knows when it is going to end. Post-pandemic uncertainties are taking a toll on people’s mental health. Employment hits hard. Life-threatening illnesses have made an ordinary man uncertain about his life span, financial status, job security, and family security. When we face uncertainty, our brains give us jitters and eventually respond with fear.
As we face uncertainty, our brains rush to overreact. They push us to react with fear. Successful people can use this mechanism and shift their thinking rationally. On a brighter note, you can effectively override your brain’s irrational tendencies and manage uncertainty by knowing the right hacks.
Old school counters anxiety by providing us with set rules, facts, and truths. But often, it’s more effective not to attempt to create certainty. Evolution might have doctored our brains to resist uncertainty; do we know what the future will bring? It is better to live with ambiguity in worse situations like the pandemic while our routines crash and our best plans get destroyed.
“Uncertainty is the only certainty there is. Knowing how to live with insecurity is the only security.” wrote John Allen Paulos. tweet this
APA’s Stress in America Survey findings proves that any uncertainty causes tremendous stress on our well-being. While Eighty-one percent of Americans blamed global delay as one of their top sources of stress, on the other hand, around 65% reported the ever-changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is a proven fact that different people react differently to uncertainty.
No one can predict the future; however, these simple steps can help you increase your tolerance levels to face life’s uncertainties. It is the most important skill one needs to develop in the present business or social environment.
- Be kind to yourself. Please don’t push yourself hard to deal with the uncertainties because your friend can deal with them quicker than you. Remind yourself to be patient and wait for the stressful situation to resolve. Every person has different tolerance levels, so you won’t gain anything out from beating yourself up if your tolerance is lower than others.
- Introspect and recall past successes. It is not the first time you are dealing with unpredictable events in life. You have been there and overcome in the past—and you survived! Make a note of the strategies that have helped you to sail through. Improve on them to do it better this time. Give yourself credit.
- Aim to learn new skills. These skills will be instrumental in giving you an edge. Use your time to increase your worth by experimenting with things outside your comfort zone. Adding value to taking risks in life makes you a stronger person.
- Stop dwelling on things beyond your control. Get out of the habit of meditating on adverse events. As soon as uncertainty strikes, many people instantly imagine worst-case scenarios.
- Imagine yourself as a third person and ask for the solution to a general issue. How would you deal with a toxic relationship or quit the job? What is your soul advice? Believe in your inner voice. You will find the right direction by doing this; therefore, follow your gut.
- Make self-care a priority. Don’t let stress derail your healthy routines. Eating well, exercising, and getting sound sleep make you fit and alert to face any situation in life. Many people follow power yoga, salsa, or simple meditation, while a few love long walks. Find out what suits your body type best.
- Seek support from a trusted clan Going in isolation is one of the most common habits found in people during stressful times. But social support can do wonders, so share and seek guidance from family and friends.
- Stop aiming for perfection Focus on the things to achieve accomplishment and not perfection, even if it’s as simple as cooking a new dish for children, planning a family vacation, or giving a public talk. Running after perfection will only give you a nagging sense of failure, and you will waste much time lamenting what you failed to accomplish.
- Reach out for help. Nothing is embarrassing about asking for help if you face trouble managing stress and coping with uncertainty. Psychologists are experts in providing the necessary support to make them strong individuals.
- Beware of toxic positivity. This term has been in vogue for the past two years. This kind of fake positivity upsets people—an ineffective strategy. For example, asking employees to bring one dish each for Diwali Potluck and decorate the lobby with eco-friendly stuff on the day of the festival will only upset them instead of cheering them up. Give them a good break to eat well, relax and catch up on sound sleep—practice yoga and meditation for mindful living.
- Seek support from those you trust. Most people isolate themselves when they’re stressed or worried. But social support is essential, so reach out to family and friends.
- Control what you can. Please focus on the things within your control, and it can be as simple as cooking a new dish for children or organizing a birthday bash for them.
I am sure that you will see improvement in your mental state once you start moving in the right direction. Be rational in approach and don’t expect too much from life. Always remember that meaning and purpose of life is to nurture hope, which adds stability to the constructive development of behavior to fight uncertainty. Be confident about your adapting skills and be ready to rock in adversities. May you always be certain about your Soul and spirit!